The United States national team is considering a tactical shift to help star attacker Christian Pulisic regain his scoring form. Pulisic has gone seven straight matches without a goal for the USMNT, and his last national team goal came against Jamaica in November 2024. In the team's recent 5-2 loss to Belgium, Pulisic created several scoring opportunities but failed to convert them into goals. Coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed frustration with the team's lack of clinical finishing, despite creating numerous chances in attack.
Pochettino suggested that defensive breakdowns were a larger issue in the loss to Belgium, but the team's inability to score was a significant concern. Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun also had scoring chances foiled by saves from Belgium's Senne Lammens. Pochettino's muted response to McKennie's goal, which put the US ahead in the 39th minute, was due in part to his frustration with the team's overall performance. Pulisic's goal drought has been a concern for both the USMNT and his club team, AC Milan, where he has failed to score in his last 12 matches.
The US team is set to play Portugal on Tuesday, and Pochettino may make changes to the lineup to help Pulisic get back on track. Pochettino said, "We know that [Christian] can score," but acknowledged that the team needs to find ways to help him start scoring again. Pulisic's last competitive goal came on December 28, and he has created only one assist in his last 12 matches for AC Milan.
When Pochettino says "we know that [Christian] can score," that means he is aware of Pulisic's potential, but is struggling to find a way to unlock it. This implies that Pochettino is under pressure to find a solution to Pulisic's goal drought, which has significant implications for the USMNT's chances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The fact that Pochettino is considering tactical tweaks to help Pulisic suggests that he is willing to adapt his approach to get his star player back on track. If Pulisic can regain his scoring form, it could be a major boost to the USMNT's chances in the World Cup.
